Entertainment

Funke Akindele Tasks Nollywood Producers On Moral Lesson

Published

10 years ago

September 2, 2016

Nollywood has come a
long way. Gone are the days where bad equipment and generally bad movies with good moral lessons were the norm, but in recent times, film makers make use of good equipment, better actors but zero moral lessons. This needs to change.
Funke Akindele’s movie Jenifa, helped in educating young ladies about the dangers involved in prostitution. Funke Akindele is one of Nigeria’s most loved actresses. In fact, her most loved role was in the movie ‘Jenifa’. Even though the film was released in 2009, Funke has still been able to use that character to keep her brand name alive hence the introduction of the Adventures of Jenifa TV series.
The original movie tells the story of Suliat, a young ‘Village Girl’ who moves to the city to enroll in university with great expectations. At university, she is ridiculed for her style (or lack-there-of), her accent and manner of speaking then, she meets a group of ‘runs girls’ things begin to change and Suliat is transformed to Jenifa.
When this movie was released initially in 2008, it didn’t catch on until girls all over Nigeria started speaking like the character and also using her slangs and her mannerisms. It was then parents and guardians took notice and made efforts to see the film. I remember speaking to one of such parents who saw the film at the time of its release, she commented that she was going to make sure her kids especially her daughters and their friends saw this film.
I asked why because at that time, there had been countless numbers of films with the same storyline, she replied again that what made Jenifa different was the fact that even though she did not understand Yoruba, the fact that the film was set in what could be called a modern university setting made it the best tool to use in teaching her daughters about the dangers in chasing ‘aristos’ all around campus. And it worked. The movie Jenifa probably helped in educating young girls and boys getting into university about the danger of prostitution and other vices than any sermon, message or beating could ever do.
Another example is the Wale Adenuga created super-story series ‘Itohan’. The series which ran in 2013 revolved around a young lady. Itohan, who wanted to travel to Europe through an illegal route with genuine aspirations to be a footballer in Europe but was deceived by a gang of men who intended to sell her and other young ladies to a notorious prostitution ring once they got there. This series also did a lot to warn young ladies about the threat of human trafficking and dangers involved in travelling via illegal routes.
These days, Nollywood producers are more concerned in shooting films that hold no moral value whatsoever. Admittedly, they are shooting with better equipment and the actors are really stepping up but as Africans, it is important that our filmmakers imbibe our culture, our dos and don’ts into our films and other entertainment portals because just like Jenifa has proven, societal vices can be combacted via movie.
There is little parents can do when it comes to censoring what their kids watch in this age of smartphones and cheap internet. I understand the fact that lewdness and sex is what sells but who says a movie about a lady or guy who keeps his/her virginity till her wedding night won’t sell? It all depends on how the film is made and marketed. Enough of this excuse that ‘this is what the market wants’. You feed the market, you can change the narrative. I really hope our filmmakers pay attention and do better.

Entertainment

Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”

Entertainment

Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.

Entertainment

I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.